Parkinson’s Law of Stuff – Shiny Tiny Mansion

Ron and I have been working hard to get our house ready for renters while we are in Maine. It is amazing how much stuff we have accumulated over almost 5 years. Well, I say we, but it is really me. I’ve blogged about my love of Thrifting and my different collections. They are hobbies, and I have enjoyed them for many years. When we were in the tiny house, we only had so much space to have stuff, and believe me, I filled it. Ron calls that Horror Vacui (the fear of emptiness), but I call it Parkinson’s Law of stuff. Parkinson’s Law is “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” My definition of Parkinson’s Law of Stuff is that stuff expands to fit the space you have. Sometimes we overflow our space and have to rent other spaces to hold our stuff. I have mentioned George Carlin’s famous bit on stuff before in this blog. If you are not familiar with this bit, I’ve attached it here for your viewing pleasure. : )

If you are not familiar with George Carlin and have dainty ears, don’t watch. : )

Years ago, I had a colleague who believed that everyone should switch offices every 4 years. (This was before professors were getting dumped right and left-the gold years of the 80s. : ) That way, all of the stuff you are holding on to, like students’ papers from 10 years ago, can be thrown out. I thought it was a great plan, but it would require pulling people out of their beloved spaces.

Ron and I do become attached to places, but when we find that there is a wonderful opportunity like our Maine trip, we try for it. We believe that’s what life is all about-going on adventures whenever you can. I understand that a lot of people have reasons to stay where they are, and I don’t begrudge them the reasons why. I just wonder, if they look more closely, most people would find that the reasons aren’t that valid. Well, that’s just me.

I know, like our other adventures in this life, that the Maine trip is going to be a life-changing and invaluable learning experience. It feels like we have been building up to this move to Maine. Our values will finally go back to what they were at the Shiny Tiny Mansion. These are some things that I would like to blog about while we are there.